"Look! Meichi Publishing, which usually only prints books, has put out a newspaper for the first time ever."
"Quick, see what it says."
"Contemporary Holmes Solves Bizarre Case, Cunning Killer Has Nowhere to Hide."
"A Strange Weapon: A Stone That Floats on Water. A Miraculous Detective: High Schooler Sees Through the Truth in an Instant."
After President Nohara woke up and heard what had happened, he immediately had the case published as a news story.
To his surprise, sales exploded, becoming a bestseller throughout Japan.
The word "pumice" quickly entered the public vocabulary.
"Uncle, Auntie, look! Heiji's in the paper again!"
Kazuha happily handed the newspaper to Heizo Hattori and Shizuka Hattori, showing off her boyfriend.
After reading it carefully, the two exchanged a smile.
"Kazuha, from now on, I'm leaving Heiji in your care," Shizuka said, glancing at Heiji, who was busy eating. "He's a great detective, but he's terrible when it comes to everyday life."
Heiji could only offer a helpless smile in response.
"Don't worry, Auntie. I'll make sure Heiji is well taken care of," Kazuha nodded earnestly.
"Heiji, how did you know he used pumice as the murder weapon?" Heizo asked casually.
"It was a flash of inspiration," Heiji said with a sigh. "Because pumice is so fragile, I was initially focused on heavy objects and didn't realize it right away."
"The world is full of all kinds of cases. When you're stuck, a breakthrough will always come from combining all the information. There is no such thing as a perfect crime," Heizo stated calmly.
"Alright, that's enough. No more talk about cases at the table," Shizuka said, giving both of them a stern look.
Kazuha covered her mouth, giggling softly to herself, a warm feeling spreading in her heart.
Tokyo, Beika Prefecture
"Damn it, Ran! Didn't you go on a trip to have fun? How did you let that Hattori brat run into another case?"
Kogoro Mori slammed the newspaper down on his desk, looking annoyed.
"Yeah, Ran, where did you guys go that day?" Conan asked curiously.
Ran, who was washing dishes, brightened up at their questions.
"Dad, Conan, you'll never guess! We went to Yoko's private villa. She has her own swimming pool, it was so much fun!"
"What?! Miss Yoko (Ran) went swimming?" Kogoro and Conan shouted in unison. "Was Heiji (that Hattori brat) there too?"
"Dad, Conan, what's gotten into you two? Of course Heiji was there. He's an amazing swimmer, just like a fish," Ran said admiringly.
"And did Miss Yoko (Ran) swim with him?"
"Of course. Yoko's private pool is huge, so there was no problem with us all swimming together."
[Damn that Hattori brat! He got to see Miss Yoko in a swimsuit.]
[Damn that Hattori! I haven't even seen Ran in a swimsuit yet.]
Ran looked strangely at the two men, who were sulking like jilted lovers, and shook her head in confusion.
"We're planning to go swimming together again next time."
"What?! I'm going too!" both of them yelled at once.
Professor Agasa's Laboratory
"Oh, Ai, you went to Ame's house again?"
Professor Agasa asked casually when he saw Ai return.
Ai gave a cool nod in reply.
"Ame is a very nice person, she just doesn't go out much. It's good that you go keep her company, Ai."
"She's like my sister."
Ai said softly.
Professor Agasa was stunned for a moment, then he understood. "You mean Ame is like your sister, so that's why you go to see her?"
Talking with Ai sometimes required getting used to her way of speaking, otherwise communication was impossible.
"Any news from Kudo?"
"Oh, you mean Shinichi? Nothing much. He just seems to be in a bad mood lately, like someone made him angry."
Ai and Conan had figured out each other's identities, but their relationship was strictly that of collaborators.
"Speaking of Shinichi, I have to mention Heiji Hattori. That guy seems to be just as incredible."
"Professor, let me see that."
Hearing this, Ai snatched the newspaper from Professor Agasa's hands and began reading it intently.
[It's strange. Whenever it's about Heiji Hattori, Ai always seems to care so much.]
Professor Agasa shook his head, looking puzzled.
Ekoda
"Tch, it's this guy again. Damn it."
Kaito Kuroba angrily threw the newspaper aside. The memory of his last failure was still fresh.
"Yes! This Heiji Hattori is amazing!" Inspector Nakamori laughed, holding the paper. "With him around, I'll definitely be able to catch Kaitou Kid and the Night Baron!"
"Dad, is this Heiji Hattori really that good?" Aoko Nakamori asked with curiosity.
"Of course he is! Last time, he was the one who saw through both thieves' plans completely. Kaitou Kid's double disguise, the Night Baron's hidden treasure... his reasoning was perfect!"
Aoko looked at her father in surprise. That Heiji Hattori must be incredible. This is the first time I've ever seen Dad admire someone so much.
For a while after that, the system didn't assign any new missions. Heiji was occasionally asked to solve a case, but none of them were major.
"Kazuha, could you get the phone?"
Heiji was lying on the bed, bored.
Kazuha called back an "okay," followed by the sound of her footsteps going downstairs.
Soon, the footsteps came back up.
"Heiji, our midterm mock exams are coming up soon. Sonoko invited us to her villa in Nagoya to study and relax for a couple of days," Kazuha said, looking at him with anticipation.
Heiji's face darkened. He refused flatly.
"Why not?" Kazuha climbed onto the bed, looking at him with pitiful eyes.
"Don't try that on me. It won't work anymore."
Heiji completely ignored her teary-eyed attack.
"Hmph, fine! Don't go! Sonoko and Ran didn't invite you anyway," Kazuha huffed, turning her head away with a pout.
Suddenly...
Heiji flipped over. Moonlight streamed into the room, playing a sweet and moving melody.
Saturday, as the first ray of sunlight entered the room.
Heiji opened his eyes and glanced at Kazuha beside him with a helpless expression.
Smack!
A crisp sound echoed in the room. Kazuha instinctively covered her backside and opened her sleepy eyes. "Heiji, I'm still so tired."
"Didn't someone have plans today? If you don't go catch the train now, you're going to be late."
"What time is it?"
"Seven o'clock."
The next moment, a loud shriek filled the room, followed by the frantic rustling of someone getting dressed.
Heiji sighed and turned on the TV.
"And now for the morning news. Yesterday, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department received a letter announcing a terrorist attack, threatening to challenge the authority of the police..."
"Special B-rank mission triggered. Protect Ai Haibara. Duration: two days."
The system's mechanical voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Protect Ai Haibara???"
---
There are 120 advanced chapters on Patreon, which I'm currently rewriting and polishing for a better reading experience. Thank you for your support and patience.
https://www.patreon.com/c/LEYI396